The Mosby Heritage Area Association is pleased to be able offer a rare tour of historic Waveland, outside of Marshall, Virginia. Waveland was the home of John Augustine Washington, III, the great-great nephew of George Washington, who sold Mt. Vernon to the Mt. Vernon Ladies Association. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, Waveland remains essentially unchanged since the days of Washington.

In 1727, Lord Fairfax provided a large grant to Scottish Reverend Alexander Scott. Scott's grandson built a charming two story brick home he called Waveland. John Augustine Washington III, purchased Waveland in 1859, shortly after he sold Mt. Vernon.

Among the many interesting points in the house is an original indoor bathroom, plumbed by the same firm that installed indoor plumbing in the White House. There is also a very large walk-in double-iron vault brought by John Augustine Washington from Alexandria, as well as built-in bookshelves installed to protect Washington family papers.

From John Augustine Washington, Waveland inherited down to Lawrence Washington. Lawrence sold Waveland in 1895 to Bedford Glascock, and 118 years later, Waveland is still in the family of Mr. Glascock.

On April 13th, the Mosby Heritage Area Association will offer a program, in addition to the house tour. Karen Hughes White of the Afro-American Historical Association of Fauquier County will present her new research on the African American community at Waveland. The history of the immediate area, the large estate, and the home will be discussed and docents will be stationed throughout the home to point out the many attractions and anecdotes.

Waveland is one of those places that once you visit, you can understand the term, "the power of place," that is often used in regard to battlefields or the sites of important moments in history. You do come away with a sense of awe and of stepping back in time, even for the afternoon. This is not only attributed to the gorgeous view and the wave-like hills, but also because it is a bit like looking at the grainy 19th-century photograph and then having the color high-resolution version overlaid. Waveland and its grounds feel old, as soon as you drive up.

The program is at 2:00pm and is open to the public. Admission is $30 Members / $35 Nonmembers. For more information, you may call the Mosby Heritage Area at 540-687-6681 or visit the calendar page at www.mosbyheritagearea.org. You may purchase tickets online. Waveland is located at 5061 Carters Run Road, Marshall, Virginia 20115.